Question

Why might someone want to know his or he risk of developing a serious disease if little can be done to prevent it? Would you want to know your own risk? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary. You will have to answer if you would personally like to know your prognosis.

(Answer) The response to this question is entirely philosophical and not generally biological. On a biological level, it would be simple enough that a one cannot surmise whether the effects of the disease can or cannot be delayed or curbed unless it is tested and detected at an early stage. For instance, a woman may have a hysterectomy if she is likely to have cancer in the uterus based on her family history.

One would need to focus on a philosophical aspect in order to answer the question, “why?” Firstly, man is a social animal. He/she develops relationships, lives with a family and friends and establishes social and provisional connections with each other. Social institutions like families and peer groups generally share an attachment that has been developed over the years or through deep emotional connections. Such connections are difficult to severe instantaneously. A parent, for instance, would like to know how much time they have left so as to save up for their child’s future. A young individual would like to know how much time they have to take that trip with a friend. There are many such instances that simply involve tying up loose threads or completing social tasks before it could be too late to physically achieve them.

This is probably why individuals would generally like to know how much time they have left, even if there is nothing that can be medically done about it.